NUTRITION AND SPORTS
The success of a sportsman depends on the personal characteristics of the individual and the intensity of the training. Nonetheless, these factors can be improved through adequate nutrition in terms of quantity and amount, both in previous training sessions as well as during competitions.
Despite the large differences among the different sports, all sportsmen and women must follow similar diets, with some differences for some sportsmen playing long-time or long endurance sport specialties or strength sports. Furthermore, nutrition in sports must establish the most appropriate diet regimen for the particular sporting moment (training period, training period prior to a qualifying event, during competition or after such event). This makes it possible for sportsmen to main a good nutritional status and optimal energy reserve conditions and nutrients that allow him or her to ensure performance at the time of competition.
Sports can be grouped into strength sports (weight lifting, hammer throw, etc.), endurance sports (cycling, walk, resistance athletics), speed/velocity sports(100m run, speed swimming), or a combination of any of the previously mentioned sports. Each of these sports is characterised by a duration time, muscles used, place and weather conditions of the site where the event takes place, etc. These circumstances have an impact on the energy expenditure and use of nutrients, and thus the diet must be carefully prepared to compensate for the loss of nutrients.